Report “Sea level rise scenarios and inundation maps for selected Indian coastal cities” was recently released by Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP).
Key Highlights of the Report
Sea Level Rise (SLR) Data:
- Mumbai: Highest rise of 4.44 cm from 1987 to 2021.
- Other cities: Haldia (2.726 cm), Visakhapatnam (2.381 cm), Kochi (2.213 cm), Paradip (0.717 cm), Chennai (0.679 cm).
Future Projections:
- By 2100, Mumbai’s sea level is projected to rise by 76.2 cm.
- Other cities: Panaji (75.5 cm), Udupi (75.3 cm), Mangalore (75.2 cm), Kozhikode (75.1 cm), Kochi (74.9 cm), Thiruvananthapuram (74.7 cm), Kanniyakumari (74.7 cm) under medium-emission scenarios.
Inundation Risks:
- By 2040: Over 10% of land in Mumbai, Yanam, and Thoothukudi could be submerged.
- 5%-10% submerged areas in Panaji and Chennai.
- 1%-5% submerged in Kochi, Mangalore, Visakhapatnam, Haldia, Udupi, Paradip, and Puri.
- Increased submersion expected by 2100, especially in Mangalore, Haldia, Paradip, Thoothukudi, and Yanam.
Factors Contributing to Sea Level Rise
- Ocean Thermal Expansion: Oceans absorb over 90% of heat trapped by greenhouse gases.
- Ice Melting: Melting of glaciers, ice caps, and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.
Impacts of Sea Level Rise
- Coastal Erosion: Loss of beaches and coastal habitats.
- Freshwater Salinization: Contamination of drinking water and reduced agricultural output.
- Loss of Coastal Ecosystems: Impact on mangroves, salt marshes, and coral reefs affecting fisheries and biodiversity.
Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies
- Coastal Defences: Construction of sea walls, surge barriers, and other coastal defences.
- Innovative Solutions: Floating homes (e.g., South Korea, Maldives). Sponge cities and use of digital twin technology for urban planning.
- Climate Action: Achieving net zero targets and limiting global temperature rise in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Ref: Source
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Frequently Asked Question:
What are the sea level rise projections for Mumbai by 2100?
Mumbai’s sea level is projected to rise by 76.2 cm by 2100.
Which Indian coastal city has the highest rise in sea level from 1987 to 2021?
Mumbai has the highest rise of 4.44 cm from 1987 to 2021.
Which city is projected to have over 10% of land submerged by 2040?
By 2040, over 10% of land in Mumbai, Yanam, and Thoothukudi could be submerged.
What is the projected sea level rise for Udupi by 2100?
Udupi is projected to have a sea level rise of 75.3 cm by 2100.
Which city has the lowest sea level rise projection by 2100?
Among the listed cities, Thiruvananthapuram and Kanniyakumari have the lowest sea level rise projection of 74.7 cm by 2100.